The defendant, who had no previous convictions, was fined £250, with £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge. He was banned for 16 months.

Mr Philip Turner, defending, said Farnell had been drinking at home. He had been working particularly hard, was tired and wanted to relax.

The solicitor continued: “He had no intention of driving but then made what he now realises was a ludicrous decision to drive to a late -night garage and get some cigarette papers.”

Mr Turner said Farnell was self-employed and had been kept very busy of late, running sites for a main contractor in the Liverpool and Manchester areas. The solicitor went on: “He has been told, in the light of his inevitable disqualification, he is no use to them. He will now be restricted to smaller, local jobs.”